How a two-day Bible Listening Group Training is Sparking Community Transformation
In the remote village of Telesgaye, Marsabit County, tucked away from the rush of modern life, the rhythm of discipleship is beginning to beat louder through listening, learning, and living the Word of God. Theovision International Kenya completed a two-day Bible Listening Group training with 35 participants — a mix of men and women who are now being sent out to start their own listening groups (A small, community-based gathering where community members come together regularly to listen to the Audio Bible in their heart language, discuss what they hear, and reflect on how to apply it to their lives).
From the outset, the members were receptive and excited. Some were shy, especially the women, due to cultural norms around public speaking and interaction. Yet their hunger for Scripture and their eagerness to share it with others was undeniable.
Women participants ready for Bible Listening Group Training by Theovision International Kenya
The Training Approach: Discovery and Discipleship
Culturally, the training environment reflected community norms. Men and women sat separately on the ground, and many women were initially shy about speaking or approaching others. One trainer explained, “Even in the church, if a woman tries to sit with the men, people will ask her to go back. It’s just how things are done.”
In recent times, women have begun to wear wraps or skirts more frequently but, in some places, traditional dress (or minimal dress) is still common. Leadership remains male-dominated, with women giving in put but men making final decisions. Yet, despite these cultural practices, their eagerness to learn was unmistakable.
Paul Arur a trained Bible listening group leader facilitating arole play session during the training
The Theovision International Kenya training model has adopted a self-discovery approach where goal is not just to train leaders, but to first understand their knowledge of Christ. The session begins by asking participants to share what they are grateful to God for and if they have any challenges they are experiencing in their lives. When someone shares a challenge, that opens a natural doorway: “Let’s listen to something together.” It’s a relational way of connecting spiritual truths to everyday life.
The listening group model is simple yet powerful. It revolves around five key discovery questions:
- What does this passage say about God / Jesus?
- What does this passage say about people / us?
- What is God saying to you personally through this passage?
- What will you do this week in response to what you have learned?
- Who will you share this story or lesson with?
Learning by Doing
Before Audio Bibles are distributed, the training team focuses on practical demonstrations. Through role plays, participants act out how to lead a group from choosing Scripture portions to guiding discussions and handling tricky questions.
The trainers emphasize that group leaders must first listen to the content themselves before gathering others. This ensures they are prepared and confident. If a question arises that they can’t answer, there’s a chain of support: the leader refers to identified local church leaders for support.
Among the participants was Mary, a woman who originally trained in Wali village. After relocating to Telesai with her husband, she continued to serve, even walking 15 kilometers each way for training. This time, the training came to her community
Commissioned to Multiply
At the close of training, Theovision International – Kenya trainers commissioned the group, sending them out to start their own listening groups. The teams were reminded of the multiplication effect: when you bring one person to hear the Word, they can bring another, and another. What starts with 35 people in Telesai could ripple through the entire region.
“The goal is to listen through the entire New Testament,” said Duke Obiri, Theovision International, Kenya. “So they can understand the full story of Jesus — from the Gospels to the letters of Paul, all the way to Revelation”.
A participant at the training receives his certificate of participation from Josephat Suweh (Theovision International, Kenya) and a representative from partners.
Despite challenges like water scarcity, cultural barriers, and remote geography, the people of Telesai are rising up to be leaders, teachers, and carriers of the Gospel. And that is the power of God’s Word in their language, available at their fingertips through a simple device — the Audio Bible.
Cultural dynamics are shifting in the community, as observed by the facilitators. One woman shared how men’s attitudes toward women have softened. In the past, men demanded immediate service — water, food — regardless of what the woman was doing. Today, many men are more understanding. They help themselves when their wives are busy. It’s a small but meaningful shift.